GoFundMe drive aids Farmington fire victims

FARMINGTON — For the past few days, an outpouring of support has been shown for members of the Mayo family, who lost their home, their pets, and most of their belongings in a fire on Labrador Drive last week.

Through a fundraising page that started Friday, members of the community have raised more than $10,000 to help family members restart their lives.

Thursday’s fire at 17 Labrador Drive destroyed much of the family’s two-story home, where the Mayos have lived for almost seven years, said family friend Andrea Tiberio, of Rochester.

Three cats, and two dogs, including a puppy, died in the fire. One dog, however, survived after being rescued from the basement of the burning home. Family members were not home when the fire began.

Tiberio, 32, said she started a GoFundMe.com page on Friday morning, to raise money for the Mayo family and help them get back on their feet. She said she has been friends with Amy Mayo for about 20 years, since their freshman year at Spaulding High School.

After hearing about the fire on Thursday, Tiberio said she wanted to find a way to help the family, whose members include Amy Mayo, her husband Mike, and their 6-year-old daughter Emily.

“They lost pretty much everything,” said Tiberio.

She added that the Mayos “are the type of people who would give you the shirt off their back, even if they have nothing.”

The Mayo family is currently getting help with temporary housing from other family members, while they look for a more permanent home.

Also, on Saturday, about 30 families stopped by R&J Auto Body in Rochester to drop off items for the family during a special drop-off event, said Tiberio.

According to fire officials, Thursday’s fire began in the kitchen and was ruled accidental. The home was insured.

To donate to the family, visit www.gofundme.com/helpthemayofamily.

In addition to monetary donations, residents can donate clothes, toys, and personal items to the family, by dropping the items off at Puddle Dock Tavern, at 485 Main St. in Farmington, or R&J Auto Body, at 32 Calef Highway in Rochester.